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Sunday, December 15, 2013

In Search of Blooms in December

Purple coneflower hanging in there

My garden has been under siege. Okay, I know you Northerners are under snow. But us Southerners are not used to day after day of freezing temps. And the sun - where did that go? So I haven't been too inspired to blog since it's too darn cold to go outdoors. Yet today is Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. How can I consider myself a garden blogger if I don't brave the freeze and search for some blooms? I was happy to find a few, though it's a paltry number.

Meyer lemon blooms

Oh dear, the poor Meyer lemon tree. I planted it in a stock tank along a southern wall but it has not been happy this winter. Nevertheless, it continues to bloom. I only hope it can find a few pollinators this time of year.

Frozen lemonade?

And I have one lemon, which must have frozen many times. I still think I'll be able to use it.

Faithful rosemary continues to bloom

The rosemary in the same stock tank as the lemon tree has shrugged off the cold. It will continue to bloom throughout the winter.

'Red Cascade' climbing rose

The roses have been another story. There are a few blooms here and there but many show signs of freezing.

Frozen 'Belinda's Dream' bud - this will never open

Savannah holly berries

Here's a bit of color - berries on the Savannah hollies (technically they were blooms at one time). It always amazes me how the birds wait until just the right time to start devouring them. In two days flat the mockingbirds, cedar waxwings, and robins will completely strip off the berries.

Yucca rigida 'Blue', Yucca rupicola 'Blue', and Blue Glow agave

Who says you can't have color in the garden when nothing is blooming? :-)

Be sure to visit Carol's blog to see more blooms from around the world!

Each person's weather... is any one every happy with the weather? I love that you still have blooms. By chance do you grow camellias? I want to try to grow one or three in my garden... the really hardy ones.

Pretty berries, and I am glad to see your Rosemary looking so healthy. My Rosemary is several years old and has been on the decline through the Summer and Autumn. Not sure it will make it through the Winter. But I can start another one as it usually grows easily here.Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!Lea

I'm envious of all your blooms, Jean. Still, I know freezing weather is worse in a zone where it's not expected; my plants are actually thankful for the snow to keep them covered up from the bitter cold. Love those bright holly berries!

Well, see this is why I prefer your climate in winter. Here we expect everything to either go dormant of die during the winter. I have no outdoor blooms after freezing (and some subzero) weather for weeks on end. So I will enjoy them on your blog. We did purchase a Meyer Lemon this fall, which is doing just fine in our sunroom. The temps in there range from about 35 to 60, and it gets sun all day, as the three-sided windows are eas-t, south-, and west-facing. The Lemon tree will go outdoors during the summer. I hope we'll have some Lemons next year! All your blooms are fabulous! Happy GBBD!

Sorry to hear about your unusually cold weather, I hope the lemon does OK. I always loved getting fruit in the winter when I had orange trees. Up here the weather has been very cold too. Your holly berries look very cheery, and the potted plants still look great.